Friday, February 03, 2012

North Texas Adverse Possession-Claiming Vacant Home Hijacker Faces The Boot As Foreclosing Lender Initiates Eviction Action

In Flower Mound, Texas, WFAA-TV Channel 8 reports:
  • The man who made international headlines by claiming an abandoned $340,000 Flower Mound home with a $16 piece of paper now faces eviction in Denton County. Kenneth Robinson filed an affidavit for adverse possession in July, and his story on News 8 set off a frenzy of filings across North Texas.


  • In court papers, Bank of America says it now owns the property in question and is asking for Robinson to be evicted. The bank says it took ownership through foreclosure on January 3. Papers say Robinson moved in when the previous owner walked out on his mortgage, and Robinson never had permission to be there. Bank of America says it asked Robinson to leave, but he did not vacate the property. News 8 e-mailed Robinson and stopped by the house. He would not comment about the case.


  • If the court sides with the bank, Robinson will be the latest squatter to get the boot. At least eight people who sought his advice and claimed homes in Tarrant County have been evicted and charged with theft or burglary. Robinson was there when three of them appeared in court.


  • Flower Mound neighbors say Robinson has been seen scouting out other potential homes for adverse possession. They are now counting the days until Robinson leaves town.


  • Robinson tried to maximize his adverse possession claim with a speech at SMU's law school and in on-line seminars. He charged hundreds of dollars for sessions about how to file the paperwork.


  • But when Tarrant County started making arrests, Robinson told News 8 that the others did not follow his advice to the letter. He said his case was different because he fully intended to pay property taxes and live in the house until he had clear title.


  • Robinson is scheduled for a hearing in Denton County on February 6. If he fails to appear, he will forfeit his claim to the house.

Source: Original Flower Mound squatter gets eviction notice.